File.



L.- G. MGNEAL.

Patented Ian. 7, I902.

FILE.

(Application filed Jan. 18, 1898. Renewed Feb. 26, 1800.)

4 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

ATTORNEYS,

L. C. MGNEAL.

FILE.

[Applicatioh filed Jan. 13, 1898. Renewed Feb. 23, 1900.)

Patented l-anJ 7 I902.

(l lo Model.) "4 Shee'rs-Sheat 2.

WITNESSES i %%NTOR ATTORNEYS,

No. 690,869.- Patented Jan. 7, l9 02.

, L. G. M0 NEAL. i

FILE.

[Application filed Jan. 13, 1898. Renewed Feb. 26, 1900.) (No Model.) I 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

WITNESSES: v 7 IN ENTOR agggi g7 {JZ@%%FM M, M, BY

ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 7, 19012. L. C. McNEAL.

FlL'E., (Application filed Jan. 13, 1898. Renewed Feb. 26, 1900.)

4 Sheets-Shet 4.

(No Model.)

/////////%///fiw////// WITNESSES:

MAGQM.

in: name mans c074 mumm. wkaymoron u c received by my improved file.

UNrTEn STATES PATENT @FFIGE.

LUTHER C. MCNEAL, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

FILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,869, dated January '7, 1902. Application filed January 13, 1898. Renewed February 26, 1900. Serial No. 6,617. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUTHER O. MCNEAL, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Files, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in files, and has for its object the production of a device which is particularly strong and durable in use and permits the utilization for the desired purpose of a maximum surface of the cards or other articles received by said file; and to this end the invention consists in the combination, construction, and arrangement of the component parts of a file, as hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In describing this invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming ,a part of this specification, in which like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

' Figure 1 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of my improvedfile. Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sections taken on line 2 3, Fig. 1, the locking-bars being shown in their operative position in Fig. 2 and in theirinoperativeposition in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4 4, Fig. 2. Figs. 5 and 6 are similar vertical sectional views taken on line 5 6, Fig. 1, the stop for holding the operating-piece in its adjusted position being shown in its operative position in' Fig. 5 and in its inoperative position in Fig. (5. Figs; '7 and S are horizontal sectional views taken, respectively, onlines 7 7 and 8 8, Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is an isometric view of one of the detached locking-bars of my improved file. Figs. 10 and 11 are isometric views, respectively, of the operating-piece for actuating the looking-bars of this improved file and the stop for preventing the movement of said operating-piece.' Fig. 12 is a face view of the follower of said file. Fig. 13 is a face View of the preferable form of card or other article Fig. 14 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of a file provided with locking-bars and an operatingpiece of modified construction. Figs. 15 and 16 are vertical sectional views taken on line 15 16, Fig. 14, the locking-bars being shown in theinoperative position in Fig. 15 and in their inoperative position in Fig. 16 and the operating-piece being shown partly in section in Fig. 16. tical sections of modified constructions of locking-bars.

My improved file comprises in its organization a frame A for receiving cards, tickets, checks, notes, and other articles CL and a movable lockingbar B for holding said articles in position. The frame A, which may be of any desirable form, size, and construction, is preferably rectangular and is usually provided with a longitudinal guide a in its bot tom wall (1 The articles a are arranged crosswise between the lengthwise sides or walls a a of the frame A and are formed with apertures a which generally extend upwardly from their lower edges and are provided with enlarged upper ends forforming oppositely-arranged engagingshoulders (L as clearly seen in Fig. 13. The locking-bar B is provided with a projecting flange or shoulder'b, which is movable in the apertures a and detachably interlocks with the adjacent shoulders a. arranged adjacent to a second locking-bar B, which is usually similar in construction to the bar B and is generally movable toward and away from said bar B, although it may be fixed to the frame Ain any suitable manner- When the locking-bars B B are in close proximity, they readily enter or leave the apertures a as the articles a are arranged, removed, or rearranged, and when the bars B B are separated the opposite sides or engaging shoulders a of the enlarged upper ends of the apertures a are engaged by the flanges or shoulders Z) of said bars, thus positively and effectively retaining the articles a in position. It is obvious, however, that if the frame A is provided with lengthwise sides or walls a a as illustrated, and the cards or other articles closely fit between the adjacent faces of the lengthwise sides or walls, said cards or other articles may be locked in position by the bar B, and the bar B may be dispensed with.

The locking-bars B B preferably oscillate toward and away from each other and are suitably pivoted to the frame A, being here Figs. 17, 18, 19, and 20 are ver- Said locking-bar is preferably illustrated as provided at their opposite ends with projecting pintles b, arranged in bearings 0t rising from the bottom wall a of the frame A, and as having their central or intermediate portions provided with apertures b, which receive eyes a secured to said bottom wall a It is obvious, however, that any other desirable means of pivoting the locking-bars B B to the frame A may be used instead of the pintles b, bearings a apertures b and eyes a The bars B B do not necessarily oscillate toward and away from each other, but may move toward and away from each other in a substantially rectangular plane, as illustrated in Fig. 14, in which is shown a file having its locking-bars 13 13 provided with inclined guides b for receiving projections (1 extending upwardly from the frame A The slots Z9 and projections a guide the bars B B toward and away from each other in inclined planes.

The flanges or shoulders I) of the lockingbars B B usually extend laterally beyond the opposite faces of the underlying portions of said bars, which portions are generally arranged substantially parallel with each other. Said flanges or shoulders are preferably comparatively thin, and consequently an aperture of minimum size is required in the cards or other articles a to permit of the operative engagement of the flanges or shoulders b with said cards. The flanges or shoulders upon the looking-bars for engaging the articles a generally extend at substantially right angles from the underlying portions of the locking-bars, but may extend from said underlying portions in curved planes, as indicated in Figs. 18, 19, and 20. The lockingbars B B are preferably formed with additional shoulders or flanges b which are substantially parallel with the flanges or shoulders 12, extend laterally beyond said flanges or shoulders, and operate to stiffen the bars The flanges orshoulders b are generally arranged beneath the articles a in the lengthwise guide ct of the frame A and may be concealed beneath the bottom wall a of said frame providing the guide a extends through said bottom wall. It is obvious, however, that the locking-bars may be unprovided with additional flanges or shoulders, as seen in Fig. 17. a

The means for actuating the locking-bars B B may be of any desirable form, size, and construction, and is here illustrated as consisting of an axially-movable operating-piece C, arranged with its axis substantially parallel with said locking-bars. This operatingpiece 0 is connected to the bars B B by suitable means, Which generally consists of movable levers c, having their upper ends engaged with opposite earns 0, provided upon the inner end face of the operating-piece C, theirintermediate portions pivot-ally connected to the adjacent ends of the locking-bars B B and their lower ends pivoted to the front Wall a of the frame A. The pivotal connection of the locking-bars B B and the levers c c is usually effected by providing the front ends of the bars B B with pivotal pins b arranged above thepivotal pins 1) of said bars and by providing the levers c c with suitable sockets for receiving said pivotal pins 17 The operating piece 0 is usually arranged within the frame A and is provided with asuitable handpiece which projects through the front wall a of the frame Aand may be provided with an indicator or hand 0 for indicating the position of the lockingbars to the user of the file. The movement of the operating-piece is generally retarded by a spring actuated pawl 0 which also serves to define the starting and stopping positions of said operating-piece.

In the preferable construction of my invention the operating-piece is locked in its position assumed when the locking-bars are operatively engaged with the articles a, and

thus prevents undue disengagement of the,

locking-bars from the articles a. The means for locking the operating-piece in said position usually consists of a pivoted stop 0 which is normally forced into its operative position by a suitable spring or other motor 0 and may be moved from said position by any desirable means, as an axially-movable cam 0 The front face of the cam c is provided with a'suitable shoulder 0 which is engaged by a key or other desirable tool. (Not illustrated.) As this key or tool is turned the cam c is rocked on its axis and forces the stop 0 from its operative position, whereupon the operating-piece C may be actuated and the key or other tool may reversely move the cam c and I may be withdrawn from engagement with said cam. The operating-piece for the locking-bars of my improved file may be so constructed as to hold said locking-bars in their adjusted position Without necessitating the use of a stop for this purpose. In order that this modification of my invention may be readily apparent, I have shown such an operating-piece O in Fig. 14. Said operatingpiece is provided with peripheral cam-shaped grooves 0 which receive projections b extending upwardly from the locking-bars B B, previously described. The projections B are moved lengthwise of the axis of the operating-piece O as said operating-piece is rocked to and fro and are prevented from movement when said operating-piece remains stationary.

A follower D is usually movable lengthwise of the locking-bars B B, is formed with an aperture (1, alined with the apertures a and is held in its adjusted position by any suitable means, which usually consists of oppositely-arranged shoulders (1 d projecting laterally from the end edges of the follower D and removably arranged in sockets A, formed in the lengthwise sides or walls a a of the frame A. The follower D preferably consists of separated sections 01 having their adjacent end edges hinged together and formed with diverging surfaces extending toward the hinge-pin for said sections. A suitable spring cl is interposed between the sections d for normally forcing the outer end edges of said sections toward the inner faces of the opposite sides or walls a a of the frame A and holding the shoulders d d within the sockets A, even when the frame Ais inverted. WVhen it is desired to adjust or remove the follower D, its sections 01 are moved toward each other against the action of the.

spring (1 until the outer ends of said sections are disengaged from the sides or walls a a of the frame A, whereupon said follower may be moved freely between the sides or walls a a. The described construction of follower is particularly simple and effective; but my invention is obviously not'li'mited thereto, since followers of diiferent construction may be used, if desired.

The construction and operation of my improved file will now be readily understood upon reference to the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, and it will be particularly noted that the same is strong and durable in use and necessitates'the presence of an aperture of minimum size in the cards or other articles. It will also be noted that the exact construction and arrangement of the component parts of my improved file may be more or less varied, as indicated herein, and consequently I do not limit myself to such exact construction and arrangement.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, and a locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for entering the apertures, substantially as and for the purpose described. 2. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having engaging shoulders, and a locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shoulder detachably interlocking with the former shoulders, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for entering the apertures and with a second flange or shoulder arranged substantially parallel with the first flange or shoulder, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having engaging shoulders, and a locking-bar detachably interlocking with the shoulders and provided with a substantially lengthwise flange or shoulder, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards orother articles having apertures therein, a locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for entering the apertures ders, a locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for detachably interlockingwith the former shoulders and with a second flange or shoulder arranged substantially parallel with the first flange or shoulder and projecting laterally beyond the same, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having engaging shoulders, a locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shonlderfor detachably interlocking with the former shoulders and with a second flange or shoulder arranged beneath the cards or other articles, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

9. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or otherarticles having oppositely-arrangedengagiug shoulders, and a pair of locking-bars having portions thereof arranged substantially parallel with each other and provided with flanges or shoulders extending laterally from their opposite faces for engaging the oppositely-arranged shoulders of the cards or other articles, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having oppositely-arranged engaging shoulders, and a pair of locking-bars arranged substantially parallel with each other and provided with flanges or shoulders extending laterally from their opposite faces for engaging the oppositely-arranged shoulders of the cards or other articles, said locking-bars being also provided with additional flanges or shoulders projecting from their opposite faces, substantially as and for the purpose described.

11. A file comprising aframe for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for entering the apertures, and an axially-movable operating-piece for actuating the locking-bar, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

12. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having engaging shoulders, and a rocking locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for detachably interlocking with the former shoulders, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

18. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, and a rocking locking-bar having its op posite ends pivotally connected to the traffic, said rocking bar being provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for entering the apertures, substantially as and for the purpose described.

14. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having engaging shoulders, and a locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for detachably interlocking with the former shoulders, said locking-bar having its intermediate portion connected to the frame, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

15. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles havingapertures therein, and a rocking locking-bar having its central portion pivotally connected to the frame and provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for entering the apertures, substan tially as and for the purpose set forth.

16. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having en gagin g shoulders, a rocking locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for detachabl y interlocking with the former shoulder, and an axially-movable operating-piece for actuating the locking-bar, substantially as and for the purpose described.

17. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for entering the apertures, and an axially-movable operating-piece for actuating the locking bar, said operatingpiece having its axis arranged substantially parallel with the locking-bar, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

18. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having engaging shoulders, a rocking locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for detachably interlocking with the former shoulders, an axially-movable operating-piece for actuating the locking-bar, and a stop for holding the operating-piece in its adjusted position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

19. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having engaging shoulders, a rocking locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for detachably interlocking with the former shoulders, an axially-movable operating-piece for actuating the locking-bar, a stop for holding the operating-pieceinits adjusted position, and means for forcing the stop from its operative position, substantially as and for the purpose described.

20. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having engaging shoulders, a rocking locking-bar provided with a projecting flange or shoulder for detachably interlocking with the former shoulders, a pivoted lever for forcing the locking-bar into its operative position, and an axially-movable operating-piece for actuating the pivoted 1ever, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

21. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having oppositely-arranged engaging shoulders, and a pair of locking-bars arranged substantially parallel with each other and provided with flanges or shoulders extending laterally from their opposite faces for engaging the oppositely-arranged shoulders of the cards or other articles, a pair of pivoted levers for forcing the locking-bars into their operative position, and an axiallymovable operating-piece for actuating the pivoted levers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

22. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles, said frame having opposite sides or walls, and a follower interposed between the opposite sides or walls and composed of sections hinged together, and means for forcing the sections toward the opposite sides or walls of the frame, substantially as and for the purpose described.

23. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having engaging shoulders, a pair of rocking looking-bars for detachably interlocking with said shoulders and a pivoted operating-piece having cams for actuating the lockingbars, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

24. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having engaging shoulders, a pair of rocking locking-bars for detachably interlocking with said shoulders, the locking-bars being without longitudinal movement and having opposite ends pivotally connected to the frame, and a pivoted operatingpiece having cams for actuating the lockingbars, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my. name, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Rochester, in the county of Monroe, in the State of New York, this 29th day of December, 1897.

LUTHER O. MONEAL.

Witnesses:

HAMPDEN HYDE, JOHN H. HOPKINS. 

